Labile Iron Removal by Adding the Iron Chelator MEX-CD1 to Dialysate in Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if adding the iron-binding drug MEX-CD1 to dialysis fluid can help remove excess iron in adults with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis who are in the intensive care unit (ICU). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does adding MEX-CD1 to the dialysis fluid increase the amount of iron removed during dialysis? Is using MEX-CD1 in dialysis fluid safe for patients? Participants will: Be adults in the ICU with sepsis-associated AKI who need continuous dialysis (renal replacement therapy) Receive two 24-hour dialysis sessions: one with standard dialysis fluid and one with dialysis fluid containing MEX-CD1 Serve as their own control, meaning they will receive both treatments Researchers will measure: The amount of iron removed in the dialysis waste fluid (primary outcome) Blood levels of iron Changes in other trace elements Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress Safety outcomes up to 28 days after treatment This is a pilot study being done at a single hospital in France.

Timeline

Start

2026-06-04

Primary completion

2027-06-01

Completion

2028-06

Publications

• Background Grange C, Lux F, Brichart T, David L, Couturier A, Leaf DE, Allaouchiche B, Tillement O. Iron as an emerging therapeutic target in critically ill patients. Crit Care. 2023 Dec 4;27(1):475. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04759-1.
• Background Natuzzi M, Grange C, Grea T, Brichart T, Aigle A, Bechet D, Hautefeuille B, Thomas E, Ayoub JY, Bonnet JM, Louzier V, Allaouchiche B, Couturier A, Montembault A, de Oliveira PN, David L, Lux F, Tillement O. Feasibility study and direct extraction of endogenous free metallic cations combining hemodialysis and chelating polymer. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 7;11(1):19948. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99462-y.
• Couturier A, Serrand C, Masseguin C, Allaouchiche B, Tillement O, Lefrant JY, Barbar SD. Evaluation of the performance and safety of adding the iron chelator MEX-CD1 to dialysate during continuous veno-venous haemodialysis for removing excess labile iron in intensive care patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury - the Iron in Intensive Care trial (IRON-I.C.): protocol for a phase I-II randomised crossover pilot study. BMJ Open. 2025 Dec 23;15(12):e109783. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-109783.

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